21 Celebs Who Named Their Kids After Fictional Characters

Celebrities often look to the arts for inspiration when naming their children, drawing from beloved books, movies, and television shows. While some stars choose subtle nods to their favorite works, others opt for direct homages to iconic heroes and villains. This trend highlights the deep personal connections that actors and musicians form with the stories that shape their lives and careers. From classic literature to modern comic book adaptations, the sources of these names are as varied as the parents themselves. Here are 21 celebrities who named their children after fictional characters.

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage has never hidden his immense passion for comic books, a love that culminated in naming his son Kal-El. Born in 2005, the boy shares his name with the Kryptonian birth name of the superhero Superman. Cage once owned a copy of the pristine ‘Action Comics No. 1’ and even almost played the Man of Steel in a film that was never produced. The name serves as the ultimate tribute to the character that has influenced so much of the actor’s life and career.

Robin Williams

The late comedian and actor Robin Williams was an avid gamer long before it was mainstream, leading him to name his daughter Zelda. She was named after the princess in the acclaimed video game series ‘The Legend of Zelda’, which Williams played regularly. The father-daughter duo later appeared together in heartwarming promotional commercials for the game franchise. Zelda Williams has frequently spoken about the unique connection she shares with the character and her father’s love for the series.

Kevin Smith

Filmmaker Kevin Smith is a renowned comic book devotee, so it came as no surprise when he named his daughter Harley Quinn. Born in 1999, she was named after the popular ‘Batman’ villain and anti-heroine who first appeared in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’. Smith has written for DC Comics and often discusses his love for the Dark Knight’s lore. His daughter has embraced the namesake, even appearing in her father’s films and pursuing her own acting career.

Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson

Musician Pete Wentz and singer Ashlee Simpson selected the name Bronx Mowgli for their son, blending a New York borough with a literary hero. The middle name Mowgli comes directly from the main character in Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’. Wentz explained that ‘The Jungle Book’ was a story that he and Simpson bonded over, making the character a meaningful choice for their family. The unique combination of a gritty place name and a classic literary figure garnered significant media attention.

Tom Fletcher

McFly musician and author Tom Fletcher is a massive fan of Disney and Pixar, which influenced the naming of his son Buzz. The name honors Buzz Lightyear, the space ranger from the ‘Toy Story’ franchise. Fletcher and his wife Giovanna have often shared their love for the animated series on social media, celebrating the connection. The couple continued this theme with their other children, showing a consistent appreciation for the characters that shaped their childhoods.

Stacey Solomon

British television personality Stacey Solomon looked to the world of Pixar when naming her son Rex. She revealed that the name was inspired by the insecure yet lovable dinosaur from the ‘Toy Story’ films. Solomon is known for her love of Disney, and the name fits well with her family’s playful dynamic. She later continued the trend by naming her daughter Belle, referencing the heroine from ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

Rupert Grint

‘Harry Potter’ star Rupert Grint found inspiration in the macabre when naming his daughter Wednesday. He admitted that the name was influenced by Wednesday Addams from ‘The Addams Family’, a character known for her dark wit and deadpan humor. Grint mentioned in interviews that he has always loved the name and found it memorable. The resurgence of the character in recent pop culture has only made the choice more timely and iconic.

Ed Sheeran

Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran turned to modern fantasy literature for his daughter’s name, Lyra Antarctica. The name Lyra comes from the protagonist of Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy, which Sheeran has cited as his favorite book series. He described the books as the greatest love story ever told, making the tribute deeply personal. The middle name Antarctica references a trip he and his wife took to the continent just before she became pregnant.

Chris Hemsworth

Action star Chris Hemsworth found the perfect name for his twin son Tristan in the drama film ‘Legends of the Fall’. Hemsworth stated that he and his brothers were huge fans of the 1994 movie growing up. He specifically admired Brad Pitt’s character, Tristan Ludlow, describing him as a cool and compelling figure. The name reflects Hemsworth’s appreciation for rugged, dramatic storytelling and cinema history.

Megan Fox

Actress Megan Fox selected the name Bodhi for her second son, drawing inspiration from both spirituality and cinema. While the word has Buddhist origins meaning enlightenment, Fox also credited Patrick Swayze’s character Bodhi from the action movie ‘Point Break’. She described the 1991 film as one of the greatest movies ever made and admitted the character influenced her decision. This dual meaning gives the name both a philosophical depth and a pop culture edge.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch looked to the Bard himself when naming his son Hal. The name is a famous nickname for Henry V in William Shakespeare’s history plays, a role often associated with British theatrical prestige. Cumberbatch starred in ‘The Hollow Crown’, a television adaptation of these plays, alongside his close friend Tom Hiddleston who played Prince Hal. The choice reflects Cumberbatch’s deep roots in classical acting and English literature.

Cate Blanchett

Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett found inspiration in a children’s book series for her son Ignatius. She recounted that during her pregnancy, she ran out of name ideas and turned to the ‘Captain Underpants’ series. In one of the books, the characters joke about the name Ignatius, and Blanchett felt an immediate connection to it. Despite its humorous origin story, the name carries a distinguished and classical weight.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson has celebrated his love for Disney animation through the names of his two younger daughters. He named one daughter Jasmine, inspired by the princess from the 1992 film ‘Aladdin’. His other daughter, Tiana, shares her name with the hardworking protagonist of ‘The Princess and the Frog’. Johnson, who voiced Maui in ‘Moana’, has frequently expressed his pride in being part of the Disney family and passing that magic on to his children.

Tia Mowry

Actress Tia Mowry paid homage to a barrier-breaking Disney princess when naming her daughter Cairo Tiahna. The middle name is a reference to Tiana from ‘The Princess and the Frog’, the first African-American Disney princess. Mowry explained that the character represents ambition and dreaming big, values she wanted to instill in her child. The slight variation in spelling adds a personal touch while maintaining the clear connection to the animated heroine.

Troian Bellisario

‘Pretty Little Liars’ star Troian Bellisario and her husband Patrick J. Adams chose the name Aurora for their daughter. The name is best known as the title character in Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’. The couple kept the name private for some time but later confirmed the connection to the classic princess. It fits within a trend of celestial and fairytale names that many celebrities have favored in recent years.

Stacey Dooley

Television presenter Stacey Dooley chose a classic and undeniably cute name for her daughter, Minnie. She confirmed that the name was indeed a nod to Minnie Mouse, one of the most recognizable characters in animation history. Dooley humorously addressed the connection, embracing the Disney association fully. The name has seen a resurgence in popularity, blending vintage charm with pop culture familiarity.

Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas

Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas seemingly honored Turner’s own hit television series when naming their daughter Willa. Fans were quick to point out that a character named Willa appears in the final season of ‘Game of Thrones’ as a wildling. While the couple has been private about the specific reasoning, the connection to the show that launched Turner’s career is widely noted. The name is gentle yet connects the child to her mother’s significant professional legacy.

Trisha Paytas

YouTuber and reality star Trisha Paytas made headlines with the distinct name of her first daughter, Malibu Barbie. Paytas has been a lifelong fan of the Mattel doll and decided to embrace the brand fully for her child’s identity. The name evokes the sunny, pink-hued aesthetic that Paytas often curates in her online presence. She has documented her extensive collection of Barbie merchandise, making the name a logical, if bold, extension of her fandom.

Molly-Mae Hague

Reality TV star and influencer Molly-Mae Hague chose the name Bambi for her daughter, sparking widespread conversation online. The name comes directly from the 1942 Disney film ‘Bambi’, which centers on a young deer growing up in the forest. Hague admitted she had loved the name since she was a child and knew it was the only choice for her baby. Despite knowing it might be controversial, she committed to the name for its uniqueness and sentimental value to her.

Holly Madison

Former reality star Holly Madison leaned into her love for whimsy and fantasy by naming her daughter Rainbow Aurora. While “Rainbow” was a nod to a school peer she envied growing up, the middle name Aurora honors Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. Madison has written about her fascination with fairytales and wanted a name that reflected a magical quality. The combination creates a colorful and storied identity for her child.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore found the name for her daughter Olive during a moment of reading with her husband. She revealed that while she was pregnant, they were reading the holiday book ‘Olive, the Other Reindeer’ and the name simply clicked. The character in the book is a dog who mistakenly thinks she has been called to save Christmas, a story full of humor and heart. Barrymore felt the name was charming and perfect, cementing a literary connection in a sweet, unexpected way.

Which of these character-inspired names is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.